The Business of Beauty

Makeup by Penny Sadler
Hair by Mark Garrison Salon

It's not every day I get to work with beautiful models and top editorial hairdressers.  Believe it or not, most of the time, putting makeup on people for camera means making it look like they don't have on much makeup at all. Putting makeup on these lovelies was just the creative change I needed.

 I was excited and happy to be asked to work once again, with Beth Minardi, an icon in the haircolor industry, and her team of top notch hair stylists. The event was a presentation of Mindari haircolor, sort of a mini runway show.

 I asked them what sort of look they wanted, and the only direction I was given was "pretty makeup with emphasis on the eyes." And that's exactly what I gave them. This is why I became a makeup artist to begin with. Great team, beautiful models. And who do you think the blonde looks like?

Rob Lowe!

Sometimes my job is ultra fun. To answer all of your questions, yes, Rob was nice and a pleasure to work with. Yes, he really looks that good. No, he hasn't done anything to his face. Yes, he needs a little makeup. Yes, he's married and has a lovely wife. If you have a question I have not answered here send me an email. I work with a lot of celebrities and other high profile people on events, television shows and broadcasts. I also work with real people. Please do contact me for your event, broadcast, film, commercial or photo shoot. penny (at) pennysadler (dot) com

Top 10 Travel Tips with Makeup Artist Penny Sadler

Traveling with One Carry-On

I"m often asked how many bags I take with me when I go to Italy for two or three weeks. My answer, one carry-on and one personal bag. This seems to be a challenge for most women. When I tell them I only take two pair of shoes they go into defense mode. More shoes is more, right?

Summer fabrics make packing light easy as they take up less space in your luggage. The key is choosing colors and patterns that can be layered and matched with every other piece.

Here's an example: If your accent color is a strong, vibrant, turquoise blue, but you have a favorite jacket that is a pastel pink, well that's not really going to work, is it? What do you wear the pink jacket with?
White pants you say. Yes, but the idea is that each piece can be interchanged.
Conclusion: you must leave the pink jacket at home, or change your accent color.

To illustrate this concept I got together with professional model and friend, Rhonda Sargent Chambers. Rhonda supplied her classic travel wardrobe, which she tells me she wears year-after-year, and I supplied the makeup, photographs, and a bottle of prosecco.

Head over to my travel blog Adventures of a Carry-On  to see more photos and read the rest of the story.

Here are a few more photos from the shoot, Summer Travel Style.

How To Wear Makeup in the Summer and 4th of July Tips

The key to summer makeup - less is more. Think, tinted moisturizers with an SPF. A little bronzer. Self tanners for the face and body. Powder is your friend, as it helps absorb shine from excess oil and perspiration. Powder-free blotting papers are perfect for removing excess shine and oil without looking caked on.  Sheer lip tints look just right, and are a better choice for summer than more opaque formulas.

This story from Beauty Press is spot on with tips and techniques for summer makeup. I especially like the blue liner. For something more subtle, you can apply, then smudge with a liner smudging brush. Or apply liner on the top lid only.

Happy 4th!

This and That

Since my last post, things have continued to move full speed ahead. I find that the type of work I do seems to go in cycles. Sometimes I work on commercials and sometimes it's more television news and satellite broadcasts. Recently, I've worked on shows for the Food Channel, HGTV and the Speed Channel.

Working outside in Texas is challenging, especially in the spring and summer. Either it's too hot, too humid or too windy. The past couple of shows, I worked with female hosts, and we were constantly battling the heat, humidity and winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour. Keeping the hair from blowing is simply impossible. I've posted a couple of photos from these shoots, taken in a more controlled environment.

The key to long wearing makeup even in the Texas elements, apply it properly in the beginning! Prep the skin with sunscreen and moisturizer if needed. Apply a silicon based primer to help the makeup go on more smoothly and give it staying power. I also use a liquid or gel eyeliner because it's more water proof than pencil and doesn't smear. Finish with powder. As the day goes by,  I usually only have to touch up under the eyes and the lips.

I also had the opportunity to teach for Last Looks Makeup Academy.  I taught three classes: bridal makeup, eye makeup only, and airbrush makeup. The classes were small, so the students got lots of one-on-one attention and extra tips and tricks I use on set.  Everyone had a great time and learned a lot. If you are interested in classes in Dallas, let me know or contact Heather at Last Looks Academy in Los Angeles. If there's enough demand she'll bring the school to Dallas.

A Little More About Me

It's been busy lately. Lots of production work and a trip to California thrown in. Then makeup artist Jennifer Kinford asked if she could interview me for her website A Beauty Loft.
It occurred to me that the interview would be of interest to those of you who would just like to know a little more about me. And it's full of tips on products and skincare.
I also wanted to thank Jennifer and suggest you have a look at A Beauty Loft where you can find the latest celeb hair and makeup tips and product reviews. Feel free to send me your beauty questions, share your thoughts or just say hello. Read the interview.

Taste of Dallas with Chef Sara Moulton

Here I am with Chef Sara Moulton at Taste of Dallas. Sara was promoting Mission Foods and did a tasty demo using, what else? Mission tortillas. Sara was really nice to work with and very easy going. Over breakfast she recounted some interesting bits about her career and working with the infamous Julia Childs.
It's not often I have the opportunity to sit down and have an unhurried meal with "the star." And can I say eating with a celebrity chef was a bit intimidating. When the food arrived I instantly wished I'd just ordered the same thing Sara did. I don't remember what we ordered, I just remember her food looked so much more interesting than mine.
Sara is the author of several best selling cookbooks. Most recently her book Sara Moulton's Every Day Family Dinners received best cookbook of the year award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Read more about her appearance at Taste of Dallas 2010 here.

Passion For Travel

I have happily married my love of makeup and beauty with a passion for travel in my first published travel story. Wanderingeducators.com is a treasure trove of information for all things travel related; well organized and well written. I'm very proud to be the new, travel/style editor.  Read the story here.

Yes Anderson Cooper!

Anderson Cooper was in Dallas in November. Don't ask me why. The important part is I got to meet and work with him as he broadcast 360 Anderson Cooper via satellite from Dallas.  Friendly but, not as talkative as one would expect. However, he is just as good looking in person as he is on camera. So does he need makeup? Definitely. Everyone needs makeup for television. Even Anderson Cooper. If only I could have had 5 more minutes with him in the makeup chair. That's the way it always is, even with high profile people. Thanks to In Motion Imagery for booking me on this. Now what can we do about the guy in the striped shirt?